THE RACE IS ON

The start was pleasant: rather cool days through the Picos de Europa into the Pyrenees – kind to us, or at least a welcoming change before the heat arrived. For the first three days, it often rained in the mornings, which I actually enjoyed, knowing what was to come. Between Checkpoint 1 and the parcours in the Picos, the first gravel section awaited, before heading into the Pyrenees. After Col d’Aubisque, Soulor and Tourmalet, I reached Checkpoint 2 as the first woman. Cynthia and Lael were usually just 20–50 km behind me – in the ultra world, that’s almost nothing. 

Towards Montpellier, everything seemed to flow: 400 km with a tailwind – but then the heat made itself felt. On the way to Colle dell’Assietta (Checkpoint 3), a long gravel section, I passed the area around Mont Ventoux and indulged in memories of previous Three Peaks Bike Race editions. On the Assietta, Cynthia chose for the first time to almost skip sleep in order to catch up. That’s when I knew: this woman was going to give absolutely everything to win. 

ACROSS APENNINES TO BARI

A real highlight followed: 100 km of Strade Bianche-style gravel through the Apennines and Abruzzo to Checkpoint 4 in the picturesque village of Pacentro. Then 200 km of supposedly flat riding – through tomato fields and burning farmland towards Bari. I arrived at 5:30 pm. The ferry wasn’t leaving until 11 pm, but after a generous supermarket shop I could already check into my solo cabin by 7 pm.

WHEN THE REAL RACE BEGAN

But from there, the race really began. Among us three leading women, everything was reset – we were on the same ferry. In Albania, before Checkpoint 5, a mountainbike-style off-road section awaited. I got through without punctures and managed to ride most of it. In North Macedonia, Cynthia caught me in the late evening – and again skipped sleep to extend her lead. I stuck to my plan, booked into a hotel for 2.5 hours – and it paid off: the next evening, I overtook her back and built up a 70 km lead.

THE FINAL PUSH

On the final morning, I still had 450 km to go – with a 90-minute gap to Cynthia. I rode as I had never ridden before: maximum efficiency, maximum power, barely any downtime – less than 30 minutes in total, including resupply. I reached the finisher’s parcours with a three-hour lead. The remaining 148 km in Romania I was able to truly enjoy– despite the usual challenges: gravel, calf-deep puddles and stray dogs. At 1 am I crossed the finish line.